Jewelry Factory Blog

Ben Kokes, a San Francisco engineer, toiled five months to design and handcraft a titanium engagement ring whose stones light up on his fiancée’s finger when he’s close-by.

Named “Project Longhaul,” the ring's journey from design to fabrication was a super-challenging labor of love for the brainy 36-year-old romantic.

The engineer chronicled the story of the ring on his website, and started the narrative this way…

"Once upon a time, a boy met a girl. Then a short amount of time later, the boy decided to design and build a ring for the girl, because doing things in the most complicated way possible is just what he does to show the love. This is that story."

The website offers a blow-by-blow description of how Kokes worked through every technical challenge of the design and manufacturing process. The site features more than 40 photographs, illustrations, diagrams and videos.

He explains on his site how the stones are backlit by tiny LEDs, which are powered by a coil of copper built into the body of the ring. The coil generates energy when it is exposed to an alternating magnetic field. A wrist-mounted device that Kokes could wear on his wrist or conceal in a pocket supplies that field.

When Kokes proposed to Julie Nicolai in mid-May with the high-tech titanium ring, the stones lit up right on cue when came within four inches of his bride-to-be. Nicolai was so impressed with the ring that she didn’t let him finish his proposal speech.

“I had a little speech prepared,” Kokes told MailOnline, “and she wouldn't let me get through it. She just started telling me how amazing it was.”

And, of course, she said, “Yes.”

About the Author

The Spiegel Family & The Jewelry Factory's roots in the jewelry business go back to the 1920's in New York. As manufacturers in New York and later California the company has supplied fine jewelry to the finest stores in the United States. In 1976, The Jewelry Factory began bringing their expertise to consumers in a very personal way.

President Bruce Spiegel is a past president of the Universal City North Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, his wife & partner Zeda Dallas Spiegel is a past Diamonds Today Award winner.

As a Jewelry Factory customer, you become part of our family, so you now have a relative in the jewelry business! (Your favorite relative!) As Direct Diamond Importers with close Site Holder relationships, we can assist with your Engagement & Anniversary diamond needs. We're North American dealers for Red Box Brand Certified Diamonds & Yehuda Brand Certified Clarity Enhanced Diamonds & in every size & price range.